Survivor honors 8 family members killed by cancer (video)

Cindy Saleh, 57, signs her name on the truck at the Project Pink event at the Victoria Advocate on Friday. Saleh has lost her mother, brother, grandmother, three aunts, great-grandmother and uncle to cancer but is a survivor. She also wrote "In Memory of Rose Nell Langley" on the truck for her mother. "I miss her a lot, she passed away Jan. 11, 1995. She was a good mother." Saleh said.

A pink fire truck stood in the corner of the Victoria Advocate parking lot, covered with signatures and messages written in black marker.

Cindy Saleh, 51, signed her own name on the carnation pink and then wrote beneath it: "In memory of Rose Nell Langley."

"It's scary when you've seen half your family have cancer and they don't make it," she said, shaking her head.

When Saleh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she had already watched her great-grandmother, her grandmother, an uncle, three aunts, her mother and brother battle cancer and lose the fight.

Saleh did survive it, and she and her friend and fellow breast cancer survivor Nancy Klaus attended Project Pink on Friday to celebrate their victory but also to remember their loved ones who lost the fight.

"I'm doing this for my mom and for the memory of all of my family who didn't make it," Saleh said.

About 200 people attended the event hosted in the Victoria Advocate parking lot on Friday, said Victoria Advocate Project Pink coordinator Vern Crockett.

Music filled the air while groups of cancer survivors and those who have supported them sat at tables munching on plates of hot dogs and chips. The proceeds from the event went entirely to benefit the Guardians of the Ribbon, South Texas Chapter, an organization that makes a point of helping breast cancer victims in the community.

The event was organized by the Victoria Advocate as a way to encourage breast cancer awareness and to give back to the community, Crockett said. In addition, about 10 percent of Saturday's paper sales will be given to the local branch of the organization, she said.

Diana Trevino, a 10-year breast cancer survivor, told the crowd her story, struggling to control her emotions.

"There were lots of times that I wanted to give up. But let me tell any of you that are going through this, don't ever give up," Trevino said.

The event also featured demonstrations for self-examinations, and speakers urged people to get a mammogram.

Early detection is key to treating the disease, Saleh said.

"People need to support breast cancer," she said. "The education is so important because it makes people aware."